NCJ Number
205748
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 78-81
Date Published
June 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the design of juvenile detention and treatment facilities that support the goal of rehabilitating youth without compromising safety and security.
Abstract
The overcrowding and under-funding of juvenile detention and treatment facilities has seriously impeded the juvenile justice goal of rehabilitating youth and successfully returning them to their communities. However, in Maricopa County, AZ, the Juvenile Probation Department used the design and construction process of their new detention and treatment facilities as a way of meeting the needs of detained youth. The construction design of the facilities supports the department’s goals regarding youth rehabilitation and security. This was accomplished by reducing the institutional appearance of the facilities through the use of natural light, reduced scale, and an emphasis on quality alternative materials and color. The goals of the staff, which involve direct supervision and interaction with detainees in a mentoring relationship, were met through designs that allow for increased interactions among detainees and increased flexibility for programming activities. Additionally, the housing facilities were designed with different population classifications in mind so that detainees can be placed in the appropriate environment to enhance treatment. The use of color, natural light and materials, and softer surfaces were meant to de-institutionalize the look and feel of the facilities. The new correctional facilities in Maricopa County also include programmatic design features, such as secure outdoor grassy space for recreational activities; such features are missing from older construction. When designing correctional facilities, it is important to create spaces that build relationships and nurture positive life choices.